Link Between Animal, Domestic Violence

6/23/98

People reported for cruelty to animals are more likely to also

engage in acts of domestic violence, according to a study by a

Buffalo, N.Y. police officer.

UPI reported June 22 that Lt. David Mann of the Buffalo

Police Department compared complaints to the Erie County

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with domestic

violence complaints in his department, and found that about a

third of those charged appeared on both lists.

"Violence is violence is violence, and all animal abuse should

be taken seriously," said psychologist Randall Lockwood, vice

president of the National Humane Society. Lockwood pointed

out that many of the young shooters in the recent spate of

school shootings had a history of animal abuse. And he added

that violence against animals and people are both related to

similar factors, including low self-esteem, social problems, a

history of abuse, anger-management problems, lack of parental

guidance, insensitivity towards others, and a desire for power

and control.

Source: Join Together Online